>S 3503 
.0527 
)6 

1922 

2opy 1 


International Copyrighted (in England, her Col- 
nies, and the United States) Edition of the 
Works of the Best Authors 


No. 434 


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DORIS AND THE 
DINOSAUR 

A PLAY IN TWO ACTS 


> BY 

HILLIARD BOOTH 


Copyright, 1922, by Samuel French 

Amateurs may produce this play without payment of 
royalty. All other rights reserved. 


PRICE, 30 CENTS 


NEW YORK 

Samuel French 

Publisher 

28-30 West 38th Street 


LONDON 

Samuel French, Ltd. 
26 Southampton Street 
Strand 




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THE REJUVENATION OF AUNT MARY. 

The famous comedy in three acts, by Anne Warner. 7 males, 6 
females. Three interior scenes. Costumes modern. Plays 2f4 hours. 

This is a genuinely funny comedy with splendid parts for “Aunt 
Mary,” “Jack,” her lively nephew; “Lucinda,” a New England an¬ 
cient maid of all work; “Jack’s” three chums; the Girl “Jack” loves; 
“Joshua,” Aunt Mary’s hired man, etc. 

“Aunt Mary” was played by May Robson in New York and on tour 
for over two years, and it is sure to be a big success wherever pro¬ 
duced. We strongly recommend it. Price, 60 Cents 


MRS. BUMSTEAD-LEIGH. 

A pleasing comedy, in three acts, by Harry James Smith, author of 
“The Tailor-Made Man.” 6 males, 6 females. One interior scene. 
Costumes modern. Plays 2J4 hours. 

Mr. Smith chose for his initial comedy the complications arising 
from the endeavors of a social climber to land herself in the altitude 
peopled by hyphenated names—a theme permitting innumerable com¬ 
plications, according to the spirit of the writer. 

This most successful comedy was toured for several seasons by Mrs. 
Fiske with enormous success. Price, 60 Cents. 


MRS. TEMPLE’S TELEGRAM. 

A most successful farce in three acts, by Frank Wyatt and Wil¬ 
liam Morris. 5 males, 4 females. One interior scene stands through¬ 
out the three acts. Costumes modern. Plays 2J4 hours. 

“Mrs. Temple’s Telegram” is a sprightly farce in which there is 
an abundance of fun without any taint of impropriety or any ele¬ 
ment of offence. As noticed by Sir Walter Scott, “Oh, what a 
tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” 

There is not a dull moment in the entire farce, and from the time 
the curtain rises until it makes the final drop the fun is fast and 
furious. A very exceptional farce. Price, 60 Cents. 


THE NEW CO-ED. 

A comedy in four acts, by Marie Doran, author of “Tempest and 
Sunshine,” etc. Characters, 4 males, 7 females, though any number 
of boys and girls can be introduced in the action of the play. One 
interior and one exterior scene, but can be easily played in one inte¬ 
rior scene. Costumes modern. Time, about 2 hours. 

The theme uf this play is the coming of a new student to the col¬ 
lege, her reception by the scholars, her trials and final triumph. 

There are three especially good girls’ parts, Letty, Madge and 
Estelle, but the others have plenty to do. “Punch” Doolittle and 
George Washington Watts, a gentleman of color, are two particularly 
good comedy characters. We can strongly recommend “The New 
Co-Ed” to high schools and amateurs. Price, 30 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 


SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Descriprivo Catalogue Mailed Free on Request 



DORIS AND THE 
DINOSAUR 

A l’LAY IN TWO ACTS 


BY 

HILLIARD BOOTH 

»> 


Copyright, 1922, by Samuel French 

Amateurs max produce this play without payment of royalty. 

All other rights reserved. 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 
Publisher 

28-30 West 38th Street 


London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 
26 Southampton Street 
STRAND 



P5 3503 

. 0S&7U& 

\ TZSZ* 


CHARACTERS 


Ralph Jordan . President Of A Country Bank 

Doris Jordan . His Daughter 

Alice Abbott. Her Friend 

Larry Keith . A Stranger 

Roy Gaines. A College Man 

Melita Pierson . President Of The S.P.C.A. 

Etta ... An Elephant Trainer 


SYNOPSIS 

Act I— Living-room in the Home of Ralph Jor¬ 
dan. 

Act II —The Same. Shortly After. 

Place: A Country Town. 

Time: The Present. 


1* * * 

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' *» 

©CLD C2U34 

NOV - i *22 

3 


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NOTES ON CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES 


Ralph Jordan : A dignified and well-to-do widower 
of middle-age; nice appearing, quiet in manner, 
an enthusiastic scientist out of banking-hours. 
IVcars a rather wrinkled sack-suit with a soft 
shirt. In Act II, a hunting-suit, with weapons. 

Doris Jordan : A pretty and wholesome girl in her 
late 'teens. She is dressed in an attractive 
house-frock, over which, at first entrance, she 
wears a bib-apron. 

9 

Alice Abbott: A vivacious and attractive girl of 
Doris's age. She wears a becoming street- 
dress and hat. 

Larry Keith : A good-looking and clean-cut young 
fellozv, well-tailored and well-groomed. He car¬ 
ries a square, leather case. His manner is sin¬ 
cere and convincing. 

Roy Gaines : Quite the college-man; his clothes are 
“snappy” and his manner is, at first, conde¬ 
scending. Good-looking and likeable. 

Melita Pierson: A wealthy spinster, sentimental, 
but not ridiculous. Devoted to the welfare of 
animals. She wears a rather elaborate street- 
costume and hat, but in good style. Very pre¬ 
sentable in appearance. 

5 


6 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 




Etta: A handsome young circus-woman; what she 
lacks in education is more than made up in looks 
and figure. She wears her circus-costume of 
white and gold—a short satin skirt over flesh- 
lings, a sleeveless and tight-fitting bodice and 
high gold boots. Over this, at entrance, she 
wears a dust-coat. 


i 














DORIS AND THE 
DINOSAUR 


ACT I 

Scene : Living-room in the home of Ralph Jor¬ 
dan. A well-furnished and comfortable room 
until the house-door at rear center, a door l. to 
other rooms, and a window at r. A reading- 
table at center with a chair either side of it; a 
desk and chair l. front. On the desk is a tele¬ 
phone. A settee r. front. A hat-rack r. rear. 
At l. rear is a glass-doored cabinet containing 
a collection of bones, fossils and curios. The 
lozver section of the cabinet is enclosed by 
wooden doors. Rugs, pictures, etc. 

Discovered : Ralph Jordan seated at the desk, l. 
front, busily writing. Morning. Full light. 
Both doors closed. Doris Jordan enters l., a 
mop in one hand, a dust-brush in the other. She 
crosses center as she speaks. 

Doris. You’ll have to move, Father. (Jordan 
doesn’t hear her. Doris lays brush on center-table 
and runs the mop along floor, L.j I have to clean 
this room now. . . . Father! (Jordan remains 
oblivious. Doris runs the mop under his chair and 
bumps his feet. Jordan turns with a start.) 

7 


8 DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 

Jordan. Eh? Oh. it’s you, Doris! Has he come 
yet ? 

Doris. Not yet, but if you don’t move he’ll he 
here.before I’m through house-cleaning! 

Jordan. I’m preparing my paper on Pre-Historic 
Animals Of The Pleistocene Period, With Special 
Reference To Bones And Fossils Of The Dinosaur 
Found In This Neighborhood. Does your friend 
from the University know of this evening’s event? 

Dorts. Of course! He’s coming over from 
Statesville in order to take me to the circus. 

Jordan. Circus? I refer to the meeting of the 
County Scientific Society before which T am to read 
this panel*! I imagine your collegian will prefer our 
Scientific Meeting to the circus! 

Doris. Don’t imagine it! Father, is your only 
interest outside of the Bank in pre-historic animals? 
(Runs mops up l. to cabinet.) Sometimes I feel 
like dumping this whole cabinetful of hones and 
fossils into the back yard! 

Jordan. Doris! That collection of bones is in¬ 
valuable ! 

Doris. It’s the family-skeleton! But you're not 
a dead one. Father; haven’t you ever thought of— 
well—of marrying again ? 

Jordan. (Rises, astonished) Marrying again? 
Why, how—who-! 

Doris. I’m sure Melita Pierson is interested in 
you. 

Jordan. Miss Pierson is interested in my bank; 
she is our largest depositor, in fact her fortune has 
put the bank where it is to-day. 

(A girl's voice is heard calling “Hoo-hoo!”; the 
house-door rear center is opened and Alice 
Abbott looks in.) 




DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


9 


Alice. Hello, Doris! Has he come yet? 

Doris. Not yet. Come in, Alice. 

Alice. (Enters) I'm crazy to meet him ! Good¬ 
morning, Mr. Jordan. ( Jordan nods, re-scats him¬ 
self at the desk and returns to his writing, oblivious 
to the two girls.) 

Doris. Has the circus reached town yet? 

Alice. Just coming in! The wagons got stuck in 
the mud on the way from Statesville and the ele¬ 
phants had to pull them out! A wagon-show! I 
suppose it’s all we’ll ever get in this burg! What’s 
his name, Doris ? 

Doris. That’s telling! I had a perfectly won¬ 
derful visit in Statesville, Alice! Went to all the 
college doings and dances and met lots and lots of 
the college men! And when I couldn’t stay for 
the circus, three of the men asked to come over 
to-day and take me to the circus here! I picked out 
the best-looking one—just wait till you see him! 

Alice. You might have picked out one for me, 
too! I met one of the college men on the train last 
week, Doris—we had a gorgeous talk! I dropped 
my suit-case on his toe—the most romantic thing! 
But of course Mother came along and drove him 
off! I don’t even know his name. 

(A knock on the door rear.) 

Doris. Come in! 

(^Melita Pierson enters rear; she carries a parcel. 

Nods to both girls.) 

Melita. Has he come yet, Doris ? 

Doris. Not yet, Miss Pierson! 

Melita. (Shakes her finger at DorisJ T sup¬ 
pose we shall be sleeping on your wedding-cake soon ! 


ro DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 

It’s the girl with the mop who wins the men these 
days! 

Doris. Yes—The Banker’s Daughter, or Doris, 
The Domestic! If I could find a second-maid 1 
wouldn’t be doing a servant’s work! I hate house- 
cleaning! 

Melita. I’ve brought your Father a hone. 

Doris. Father—Miss Pierson has a bone to pick 
with you! ( Jordan starts, rises.) 

Melita. Dear me, no! It’s the bone of a plesio¬ 
saurus or an armadillo—to add to your collection. 
(She opens the parcel as she speaks, showing a large 
hone.) 

Jordan. Splendid! Invaluable! My dear Miss 
Pierson, many thanks. 

Alice. See you later, Doris ; I have the market¬ 
ing to do. 

Melita. (To Alice,) Of course you’ll be one of 
to-night’s enthusiastic audience? 

Alice. Oh, yes—I wouldn’t miss the circus! 

Melita. I refer to the audience that will hear 
Mr. Jordan’s address! 

Alice. (As Jordan shows pleasure) At least I 
shall be one of the enthusiastic audience to greet 
Doris’s catch ! The whole town is on the qui vive 
to see your University man, Doris! (She laughs 
and runs out through house-door, rear.) 

Melita. Apropos of the circus, I hear they made 
the elephants haul the wagons out of the mud! As 
President of the S.P.C.A., I shall investigate the 
story! 

Jordan. (Still examining bone) I believe this is 
the bone of a dinosaur! fDoRis runs the mop r., 
then down r., then l., along front, during this.) 

Melita. It was found near the famous fossil 
footprint of the dinosaur on Craggy Mountain, fifty 
miles from here. 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


11 

Jordan. Convincing evidence that I am right! 
Yet it might be the toe-bone of a horny-headed 
glyptodom or megatherium. 

Melita. To me it suggests the plesiosaurus! 

Jordan. No, I am sure it belongs to the Quater¬ 
nary era—the edentate family! 

Melita. Aren’t pre-histories fascinating! 

Doris. (Running the mop between them') Please 
take your plesiosuruses and dinosaurs out of my 
way ! I’ve got to clean ! 

Jordan. (Looks at his watch) High time I was 
at the Bank! (To Melita, as he lays bone on the 
desk.) Are you going my way. Miss Pierson? 

Melita. (Archly) I shall go as far as you go, 
Mr. Jordan! (Jordan and Melita go to door rear. 
Jordan takes his hat from the rack. Melita speaks 
to DorisJ No elopement, Doris! You mustn’t de¬ 
prive us of the fun of a big wedding! (Shakes her 
finger at Doris.) 

^Melita and Jordan exit rear. As the door closes 
behind them Doris makes a face at it. The 
telephone rings. Doris, by desk , takes up the 
receiver.) 

Doris. Hello . . . Statesville calling? . . . Yes, 
this is Doris Jordan. Oh, it’s Roy Gaines? Yes. 
we’ve been expecting you—what’s that ? . . . Can't 
come? (Distressed, but forces a laugh, tries to speak 
lightly.) Oh, no, no inconvenience—not in the least, 
I assure you! So sorry! Don’t apologize! It’s of 
no consequence. (She rings off quickly, dabs eyes 
with handkerchief , distressed, angry.) Can’t come! 
And the whole town on the qui vivo to meet him! 
I’ll be the laughing-stock of everyone! Oh! Oh! 
(She takes the mop in one hand, and snatches up the 
brush in the other, wrought up.) A servant! That’s 


12 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


all I am! Mops! Brushes! I hate them! If any¬ 
one ever says mops or brushes to me again. I’ll com¬ 
mit murder! (A knock on the door, rear.) Come 
in! ('Larry Keith enters at house-door, leather- 
case in hand.) 

Larry. I’d like to show you some mops and 
brushes. That is—if you’re interested in mops and 
brushes? 

Doris. (With complete change of manner and 
tone) Oh, I am! Indeed I am! I love mops and 
brushes ! Do come in ! ^Larry comes down center, 
lays case on table. Doris lays mop and brush against 
wall R. and quickly removes her apron : smooths 
dress, fluffs hair, etc. She sits on settee r. front. 
Larry sits r. of table.) 

Larry. I carry the Rotary Brush—best brand on 
the market! 

Doris. I love the kind that go round—they’re so 
revolutionary! 

Larry. Twenty revolutions to a second! The 
dust simply goes into space! 

Doris. Then what becomes of it? 

Larry. Why, that settles it! 

Doris. Dust to dust! I should think it would 
settle! 

Larry. I’m afraid I don’t interest you. Fact is, 
this is the first time I ever tried to sell a brush, either 
Rotary or Stationary! 

Doris. The first time? When did you get into 
town ? 

Larry. Just arrived ; you’re the first person I’ve 
talked with. 

Doris. Oh, you do interest me! 

Larry. Really? (He rises, crosses r. and sits 
beside her on the settee.) 

Doris. I should say so! Have you ever been in 
the University at Statesville? 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


13 


Larry. Never! 

Doris. You look like a college man! 

Larry. (Takes her hand) Do I act like one? 

Doris. How did you get into this work ? 

Larry. My Uncle died and I had to take it up. 
I don’t care for it myself. (He puts his arm around 
her.) I’m sorry you don't like my line of work! 

Doris. (With a sigh of content ) It’s perfect! 

Larry. Doris! ( Starts to kiss her. Doris 

springs to her feet.) 

Doris. Perfect as an imitation of the real thing! 
I'm sure no one would suspect you! 

Larry. (Rises) Suspect me of what? 

Doris. Of being a mop and brush agent instead 
of a student at the University! I was expecting— 
everyone was expecting—a collegian from States¬ 
ville to take me to the circus to-day! He just phoned 
me he couldn't come! 

Larry. You introduce me as the educated escort, 
and I’ll take you to the circus! 

Doris. Exactly ! Will you do it ? 

Larry. Will I? I'll plav the part without arous¬ 
ing a suspicion. T only wish I could console you for 
the absence of the man you expected! 

Dorts. To tell the truth, I was more flattered 
than pleased at the idea of his coming. 

Larry. And now that Tm to be your escort—? 

Doris. I’m more pleased than flattered! 

Larry. Ouch! 

Doris. Of course I shall pay you whatever 
amount you expected to make in this town. Don't 
protest. This is a business arrangement. How 
much did you count on taking in ? 

Larry. A day with you will repay me for a life¬ 
time’s sale of brushes! 

Dorts, Thirty dollars—forty—fifty? If you 


14 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


don't let me pay you for your lost time, then I can’t 
let you act as my escort! 

Larry. All right—call it twenty dollars. 

Doris. Not a cent less than twenty-five! 

Larry. But - 

Doris. (Interrupts, emphatic) I shall pay you 
twenty-five dollars, not a cent less! Absolutely! 
Twenty-five ! I insist! When it comes to business, 
I am nothing if not business-like! fL arry nods. 
Doris takes hand-bag from table, opens it, dumps 
contents on table, sits by table, separates the money 
from the hair-pins, gum, vanity-case, etc., and counts 
it.) All I have is eight dollars and seventy-two 
cents! 

Larry. That’s ample! 

Doris. Really? Are you sure? 

Larry. Positive! 

Dorts. Well, there it is! Please give me a re¬ 
ceipt ! (She shoves the money toward Larry. He 
pockets it, takes out paper and pencil and scribbles a 
receipt.) 

Larry. “Received from Doris Jordan” —I knew 
your father was the town banker, it’s why I came 
here first. Hold on, have I got to take the name of 
your high-brow friend? 

Dorts. Fortunately I mentioned his name to no # 
one! No one knows it was Roy Gaines I was ex¬ 
pecting ! 

Larry. Good! There! (He hands her the re¬ 
ceipt. Doris reads his name from it.) 

Doris. “Larry Keith.” That’ s convincing! 

Larry. It ought to be! I’ve carried it twenty-odd 
years without arousing suspicion! 

Doris. (Shoves receipt into her hand-bag with the 
other things) Your sample-case! We must hide it! 
(Looks around.) The cabinet! Just the place ! ‘ It’s 
where we keep all the family-skeletons! (She goes 



DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


15 


up l., and opens the wooden doors of the lower 
part of the cabinet. Larry carries the case to cab¬ 
inet, puts it in the loivcr part and closes the doors. 
He looks at the bones.) 

Larry. Skeletons? 

Doris. Dinosaurs! Father’s daft on the subject. 
Now let me coach you, Mr. Keith. (Crosses r. front 
to settee : Larry follows her. They seat them¬ 
selves.) 

Larry. Aren’t we calling each other by our first 
names by this time ? 

Doris. True! Remember, you’re in the same 
Class as Roy Gaines—Larry! 

Larry. Did Gaines ever kiss you ? 

Doris. Of course not! 

Larry. He’s not in my class! You’re adorable. 
Doris ! I’ve met a lot of girls in my time, but you’re 
different, you’re worthy of a better man than an 
under-classman! 

Doris. What are you trying to do—mop up? 
(As Larry starts.) You don’t have to make love 
to me! 

Larry. I’m not “making” love to you ; I’m in 
love with you ! I loved you the moment I saw you—■ 
it was a case of love at first sight. 

Doris. T don’t believe in love at first sight! 

Larry. History records dozens of cases of love 
at first sight! 

Dorts. I dare say it existed in the days of Ro¬ 
mance, but now—love at first sight is extinct—as 
extinct as the dinosaur! 

( Alice bursts in at the door rear, excited.) 

Alice. Doris, Doris, a dinosaur has been dis¬ 
covered ! On Craggy Mountain! A live dinosaur! 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


16 


Doris. (As she and Larry rise) What! A live 
dinosaur discovered! 

Larry. I knew it would be! 

Alice. The dinosaur isn’t extinct after all! 

Larry. I was sure it wasn’t! 

Alice. Some hunters found it! Fifty miles from 
here! They have its photograph ! The whole town 
is excited! Your Father is up in air! (Smiles at 
LarryJ Oh! He has come! 

Doris. (Introducing them) Miss Abbott—Mr. 
Keith. 

Alice. Doris has talked so much of you, you’re 
exactly as I pictured you! Do you go in for the 
college athletics? 

Larry. Yes, I row on the crew. 

Alice. And where does the crew row, in the 
Soldier’s Fountain or the irrigating ditch? 

Doris. (Forces a laugh) Larry is spoofing, 
Alice; he knows the University hasn’t any crew! 

Larry. We call the Debating Society a crew be¬ 
cause we rozv so much! Get the joke? 

Alice. Yes ; it’s about as amusing as it is athletic! 

Doris. Larry plays short-stop on the base-ball 
nine! 

Alice. Splendid! Listen! fA lice goes up¬ 

stage as Melita is heard calling “Doris!”) 

Larry. (Lozv to Doris) As extinct as the dino¬ 
saur! Nozv do you believe in love at first sight? 

Doris. I don’t know what to believe! 

^Melita Pierson enters rear, comes down with 

AliceJ 

Melita. Doris, you've heard! Isn’t it wonder¬ 
ful? We must make every effort to protect this poor 
dinosaur! (Smiles at LarryJ Ah—introduce me, 
my dear! 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


17 


Doris. Miss Pierson, Mr. Keith. . 

Melita. Are you related to the Gidding Keiths ? 
Larry. Don’t even know them! 

Melita. Why, everyone in Statesville knows the 
Gidding Keiths! Of course you know their nephew, 
Tom Gidding? 

Larry. (As Doris signals him with a violent nod) 
Why—er—it seems to me I have heard of Tom Gid¬ 
ding ! 

Melita. He’s Captain of the college base-ball 
nine! 

Alice. The nine on which you play short-stop! 
Larry. (With a forced laugh) Oh, you mean 
Tom Gidding! Of course I know Tom—good old 
Tom ! And Roy Gaines ! Roy and T are in the same 
class, sometimes I feel as though we were one and 
the same person. I mean we’re inseparable, chums, 
pals, buddies! Awfully warm in here, isn’t it! 
(Nervous, takes out handkerchief, wipes brozv.) 
Alice. Hardly warm enough to mop your brow! 
Larry. (Starts) Did you say mop? Excuse me. 
I— I’ll hunt a drink of water! (He exits quickly l.) 

Doris. There’s water on the sideboard! Wait! 
(She exits l. after him. Alice and Melita ex¬ 
change a questioning look.) 

Melita. Strange he doesn’t know the Gidding 

Keiths! 

Alice. Rows on the college crew! Uni! 

(Roy Gaines enters rear at the open house-door. 

Down to Melita .) 

Roy. Pardon me; I’m Roy Gaines. I came over 
from Statesville to take Miss Jordan to the circus. 
(He sees Alice as she faces him : starts with sur¬ 
prise.) You! 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


18 


Alice. Oh! I didn’t cripple you when I dropped 
my suit-case on your foot? 

Roy. Rather not! I tried to find out who you 
were! 

Melita. Permit me—Roy Gaines, Alice Abbott! 
Too late, Mr. Gaines! Your classmate has cut you 
out; he’s already arrived to take Doris to the circus. 

Roy. (Smiles as he crosses to Alice J I should 
worry ! Who is he ? 

Melita. Larry Keith. 

Roy. Don’t know him ! 

Alice. Don’t know him ? Why, he said you and 
he were chums, pals, buddies! 

Melita. He plays short-stop on the college nine. 

Roy. He does? Why, I play short-stop on the 
nine! ("Melita and Alice start.) He must be kid¬ 
ding ; if he isn’t he’s skidding! 

("Ralph Jordan enters rear , excited : a photograph 
and telegrams in his hand.) 

Jordan. Have you seen the photograph? A snap 
shot of the dinosaur on Craggy Mountain! (He 
passes it around. Waves the telegrams.) The cir¬ 
cus has made me an offer for its capture! Two 
moving-picture concerns are sending men over from 
Statesville to join the expedition! 

Melita. What expedition? You’re not going 
to hunt the dinosaur, are you? 

Jordan. Certainly ! I’ve sent for the elephant- 
trainer with the circus to join us; the man’s aid will 
be invaluable! 

Melita. We must protect the poor animal, not 
harm it! We must throw a barbed-wire entangle¬ 
ment around the whole of Craggy Mountain! 

Jordan. Ridiculous! 

Melita. Indeed! 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


19 


Jordan. Yes! We’ll capture-it alive if possible, 
but capture it we must! (To Alice and Roy, who 
are looking at the photograph.) What do you think? 

Roy. I think it’s a joke! The snap-shot could 
easily he faked. 

Jordan. (Angrv, takes the photograph from him) 
A joke! We’ll see which side the laugh is on when 
my expedition returns! 

Melita. As President of the S.P.C.A., I abso¬ 
lutely forbid the expedition! The dinosaur must not 
be annoyed or interfered with! 

Jordan. The expedition sets forth within the 
hour! 

Meltta. Tf it does, T shall withdraw my fortune 
and my support from your Bank—every cent of it! 

Jordan. The money T shall receive from the cir¬ 
cus and the moving-picture people will more than re¬ 
imburse the Bank! You can’t intimidate me! 

("Dorts runs in l.) 

Dorts. Father, isn’t it wonderful about the dino¬ 
saur ! T want you to meet - (She secs Roy and 

breaks off abruptly; stares at him, open-mouthed . 
horrified.) 

Roy. Doris! You rang off so quickly I only half 
told you I couldn’t come by motor and was taking 
the early train! 

fL arry enters gayly, l.) 

Larry. Time we started to see the circus-parade. 
Doris! ("Doris too alarmed to speak. Larry and 
Roy look at one another without recognition.) 

Meltta. (To Larry ) Don’t you recognize this 
fellow ? 

Larry. No. 


20 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


Alice. He plays short-stop on your college nine; 
let me introduce your chum, your pal, your buddie, 
Roy Gaines! ^Larry starts, but thinks quickly.) 

Roy. Really—an explanation is needed- 

Larry. (Interrupts him) Exactly! You say 
you play on the college nine? I never saw you be¬ 
fore ! If you play on the nine, then I certainly don’t! 
You say you’re a college man? Why, I’ve never 
even seen vou around the Universitv! 

Roy. (Taken aback, stutters) What? Why— of 
all the nerve! 

Larry. Nerve is right! Who knows this fellow 
who says he is Roy Gaines? 

Alice. T met him on the train last week! 

Larry. Did he tell vou his name ? 

Alice. No, he didn’t—but- 

Larry. Ah! 

Roy. Mr. fordan, I appeal to you! 

Jordan. (Frowns) You don’t believe in dino¬ 
saurs ! 

Larry. / believe in dinosaurs! 

Jordan. (Pleased) You’ll join my expedition? 

Larry. Gladly! 

Roy. Doris—tell them the truth ! 

Dorts. (Crosses to Larry) The truth is that 
this is the man who is going to take me to the circus! 
('Larry smiles at Roy, u ho starts, helpless.) 

(The telephone rings.) 

Jordan. (In phone) Hello. This is Jordan. . . 
What? The Bank in Statesville robbed last night? 
—The thief a young man? Got away with all the 
cash? . . . Think he may belong to the circus? . . . 
Yes, I’ll put an extra guard at my Bank. (Rings 
off.) The Bank at Statesville was robbed last night ! 




DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


21 


Alice. (To Larry ) You don’t belong to the 
circus, do you ? 

Larry. No, I don’t! 

Doris. What do you mean by that, Alice Abbott? 

Alice. I was only spoofing! 

Larry. (Faces Roy abruptly, his manner accus¬ 
ing) You were in Statesville last night, weren’t you? 

Roy. Yes. 

Larry. At the very hour the Bank was robbed! 
Do you belong to the circus? 

Roy. To the circus? Look here, are you insinu¬ 
ating that / robbed the Bank? 

Larry. (Shrugs) Well, you said you were a 
University man, and / never saw you at the Univer¬ 
sity ! fRoY fairly sputters with anger. Band-music 
sounds from a distance, growing gradually louder.) 

Melita. It’s the circus-parade! We can see it 
from the window! (She crosses to the zvindozu, R .) 

Roy. Mr. Jordan, I want a word with you in 
private! (As Jordan hesitates.) For your daugh¬ 
ter’s sake! 

Jordan. (Steps to door l.) Very well—be quick 
about it! (To Larry .) Let me know the moment 
the elephant-trainer arrives! (He exits l. Roy 
glares at Larry and exits l., after Jordan .) 

Melita. Here come the elephants ! 

('Alice and Doris run r. to the zvindow and look 
out. Etta enters rear. Larry turns to her 
quickly. They speak without being observed by 
the others.) 

Larry. Etta! 

Etta. (Surprised) What are you doing here? 

Larry. Sh! (Points off through open door, l.) 
Do you see that man in there? Claim him as your 
long lost husband, lover, anything! I want to dis- 


22 DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 

credit him. put him out of the running! Will you do 
it ? 

Etta. If you want me to. I will! 

Larry. (Strides to door l., calls through) Mr. 
Jordan, the elephant-trainer is here! 

^Etta throws off her dust-coat as Melita, Alice 
and Doris turn from the window. Roy and 
Jordan enter l. Etta gives a glad cry.) 

Etta. You! My long lost lover! At last I find 
you! How could you desert your Etta? My dear, 
my darling! (She runs to Jordan, throws her arms 
about his neck and clings to him. Melita and Doris 
scream as they all start, shocked and horrified.) 

Larry. No, no, not that man—the other one! 
(No one hears or heeds him. He rushes to support 
Doris as Melita sinks dozen on the settee, and 
Alice and Roy draw azvay from Jordan, who strug¬ 
gles in vain to free himself from Etta’s jubilant 
embraces.) 


CURTAIN 


ACT II 


Scene: The same. Shortly after. The bone has 
been removed from the desk l. front. Doris' 
hand-bag remains on the eenter-table. 

Discovered: Larry, pacing the room, agitated. 

Etta, calm, seated by the center-table. 

Etta. Well, how did I know which one? When 
y’ fling a long-lost lover at my head like that, the 
least y'could have done was to introduce me! 

Larry. You should have used your discretion! 

Etta. Well, I picked the one that looked most 
discreet! 

Larry. Stick to your story that it was a mistake ! 

Etta. Who’s this man Orr the old codger wants 
me to help him catch ? 

Larry. Never heard of him! 

Etta. First name of Dennis. Dennis Orr. Says 
he’s loose on Craggy Mountain. 

Larry. Oh, that dinosaur is a cousin of Meg 
Atherium and a connection of the Edentate family! 

Etta. I get you! Dennis is the great-grand¬ 
father of my Ella—Ella Phants ! Say, why aren’t 
you on vour job? 

Larry. These people think I’m a student at 
Statesville University. 

Etta. High-brow stuff! You’ll need Paul be¬ 
fore the day’s over! 


23 


24 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


Larry. Paul ? Paul who ? 

Etta. Paul Bearers! Please omit flowers! Say, 
if they knew you were- 

Larry. (Interrupts sharply as Melita and Alice 
appear at door rear) Sh! Remember, you made a 
mistake! 

Melita. (To Etta, as she and Alice come down) 
A word with you, young woman! 

Etta. I made a mistake ! 

Altce. (To Larry) Mr. Gaines has gone to get 
his credentials! Has the thief been found yet? 

Larry. Not that I know of! 

Melita. When the thief is found, I’m sure you 
will know of it! 

Larry. Excuse me —I’ll tell Mr. Jordan you’re 
here! (He exits l.) 

Melita. (To Etta) A mistake! So you say! 
A strange sort of a mistake! A man’s past seems 
to be an unmined depth of infamy! Mr. Jordan 
sent for you—that in itself is suspicious! 

Etta. He sent for the elephant-trainer—he 
thought I was a man ! 

Melita. Uni! A man who would kill dinosaurs 
is capable of anything! When and where did you 
first meet Mr. Jordan? 

Etta. (Indignant) You think I’m not telling 
the truth ? My embracing the old man was a mis¬ 
take. I tell you! I meant to kiss the other one! 

Alice. (Angry) The other one? Oh! 

fiRoY Gaines enters rear, cheerful.) 

Roy. It’s all right! I have a witness to prove 
I’m Roy Gaines! 

Alice. (To Etta, as she points to Roy ) This 
is your long lost lover? 

Etta. You’re the one 1 should have embraced! 



DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


25 


Roy. (Staggered) Why, wh-what do you mean ? 

Etta. That’s all right; I don’t want t’ embarrass 
you before friends! 

Alice. Is this man your husbandf 

Melita. How many husbands have you? 

Roy. (To Etta) You claim acquaintance-ship 
with me? I never saw you before to-day! 

Etta. (Sarcastic) Oh no, of course not. My 
mistake. So sorry I spoke! Never saw me before! 
That’s a good one! 

Roy. What’s your game? Alice, I swear to you 
I’m Roy Gaines, and- 

Alice. (Interrupts) What does it matter who 
you are so long as you’re tangled up with this circus- 
creature ? 

Etta. (Rises, angry) Circus-creature? 

Roy. I tell you I don’t even know this infamous 
woman ! 

Etta. Infamous woman? 

("Doris enters l. as Alice goes up-stage. Alice 
speaks to Doris as she turns at door rear.) 

Alice. I don’t wonder you refused to have any¬ 
thing to do with this man, Doris! It’s he who has an 
affair with the elephant-trainer. Every man’s past 
is an unmined depth of infamy! (She exits rear.) 

Roy. Alice ! Wait! Listen ! I swear to you- 

(Distracted, he exits rear after Alice .) 

Etta. I can stand for a good deal, but when 
anyone starts calling me names, I turn over the 
account to my husband! My husband will make you 
apologize! 

Melita. Which husband? 

Etta. (Angry) The only one I’ve got! I’ll find 
him, I’ll bring him here; he’ll convince you that an 




26 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


elephant trainer can he a lady! (She exits rear. 
Melita smiles.) 

Melita. She's jealous—because I forced her to 
give up your father! 

Doris. Then you do care for father? 

Melita. (Simpers ) Well, I- (Her voire 

hardens as she looks off l.) Care for a man who is 
cruel to dinosaurs? Never! 

(Ralph Jordan enters l. in hunting-suit; a walking 
arsenal with revolver , knife , coil of rope and 
rifle. Larry enters after him , carrying a shot¬ 
gun.) 

Jordan. Come, the others are waiting for us at 
the Bank—waiting for me to lead the expedition to 
hunt the dinosaur! 

Melita. In the name of humanity, I protest! 
Don't worry this poor. lost, lonely beast! 

Jordan. In the name of Science. I shall capture 

it f 

Melita. For the sake of your Bank give up the 
expedition ; if the expedition fails, the Bank fails, 
too! 

Jordan. Don’t try to stop me! 

Melita. (Her hand on his arm) For my sake! 
Jordan. For your sake T would give up every¬ 
thing— (Melita smiles, simpers.) —except the dino¬ 
saur! (To Larry, as Melita frowns, angry.) 
Come! (Jordan exits rear.) 

Melita. We’ll see! I’ll swear out a warrant, an 
injunction. I’ll have him arrested for cruelty to 
animals! I’ll stop this expedition in the name of the 
S.P.C.A.! (She exits rear, after Jordan, ) 

Larry. (Leans gun against desk and crosses 
quickly to Doris) ft was splendid of you to stand 
up for me in the face of that fellow Gaines! 



DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


2 / 


Doris. What else could I do? Admit I'd hired 
an agent as his substitute? And they think you're 
the thief who robbed the bank in Statesville! You 
must go. go at once! If they start an investigation, 
they’ll find out who you really are! 

Larry. Well, it might be worse—I might he tak¬ 
ing orders for enlarged crayon portraits! 

Doris. (Sinks to settee) Think of my feelings 
if they discover you’re a mop and brush agent! 

Larry. (Sits beside her) Mops and brushes are 
perfectly respectable; they give a man a sweeping 
chance to earn a clean livelihood! 

Doris. It isn’t that I object to your selling the 
horrible things, but if they find you out I shall have 
to admit that I'm to blame for the situation! 

Larry. You're not to blame—neither am I—it’s 
all the fault of the dinosaur,—love at first sight! 
You do believe in its existence, don’t you, Doris? 

Doris. Of course I wouldn’t have allowed just 
any agent to take me to the circus! As an escort 
you’re—youre quite satisfactory! But please go! 

Larry. Not till you tell me you care for me. 
You’re the only girl I ever cared for deeply, Doris; 
you’re the girl I want to care for always! Give me 
hope; say you believe in love at first sight. 

Dorts. I believe it’s as real as the dinosaur! 

(Jordan enters rear, excited, angry, throws down 
rifle and rope; removes belt with weapons.) 

Jordan. The dinosaur is a fake, a fraud, a frame- 
up ! (Doris and Larry rise with startled exclama¬ 
tions.) An abominable deception on the part of 
town boys! They knew my interest in prehistoric 
animals; they thought it the height of humor to per¬ 
petrate this dastardly trick! Gaines was right,— 


2 8 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 

they faked the photograph,—the whole story is an 
atrocious lie, an outrageous imposition! 

(Etta enters rear; down quickly to Larry.) 

Etta. I’d do a good deal for you, Larry Keith, 
but when it comes to being called names, T quit! 
You tell ’em you got me into this, you tell ’em I’m an 

honest working-girl, and- 

Larry. (Interrupts the angry Etta. Shakes her 
hand from his arm.) Stop! Stop! That 11 do! 

(Melita enters rear; in one hand she carries a toy 
balloon, in the other a legal paper. She speaks 
to Etta.) 

Melita. So. you’ve found your husband at last, 
have you! 

Doris. (To Larry, angry) A fake, a fraud! A 
frame-up! The only girl you ever cared for, am I? 
It is an atrocious lie, an outrageous imposition! 
(She snatches her hand-bag from the table, opens it, 
takes out a handkerchief and dabs her eyes as site 
crosses l. A piece of paper comes with the hand¬ 
kerchief and falls to the floor without her noticing 
it. Larry follows Doris l. She turns on him.) 
Love at first sight! Tt is extinct,—as extinct as the 
dinosaur! Don’t talk to me! (She exits l. and 
slams the door in Larry’s face.) 

Larry. Doris,—you’ve got this wrong,—Doris! 
(He yanks open the door, and exits l. after Doris. 
Jordan has come down r., and sits, dejected, on 
settee. Etta starts to go toward him. Melita 
steps quickly between Jordan and Etta.) 

Melita. Stop! This man is not your husband! 
Hands off! 

Etta. My husband’s busy right now, but he’ll be 



DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


29 


here in a few minutes and square me with this 
crowd! When it comes to mixing in High Society, 
—give me wild animals any time! (She exits 
rcar, angry.) 

Melita. (Hands the paper she carries to Jor¬ 
dan ) Here is a summons to appear before the 
Mayor,—it will prevent your hunting the dinosaur! 

Jordan. (Tears it across) It isn’t necessary,— 
the dinosaur doesn’t exist, the story was untrue,—a 
joke! 

Melita. The dinosaur doesn’t exist! Oh, I’m 
so glad, —now no one can hurt the poor animal! 
Fortunately I haven’t withdrawn my support from 
your bank ! 

Jordan. I can’t ask you to continue your sup¬ 
port, since nothing prevents my hunting the beast 
but the fact of its non-existence! 

Melita. You might ask me to—to- (She 

breaks off as she smiles at Jordan .) 

Jordan. To-? 

Melita. (Simpers) Love is like a balloon, don’t 
you think? Bright and beautiful it sails lightly 
through the air, bearing Cupid’s message from one 
sentimental soul to another! Catch ! 

Jordan. Love is like a balloon — a thing of joy! 
(Melita knocks the balloon toward Jordan. He 
rises and knocks it back.) Tt comes to me from you, 
to you from me ! 

Melita. Love comes to both of us — like this 

balloon—until- (They both reach the balloon; 

it explodes with a pop. Note: Jordan holds a pin 
with which to prick it as he reaches for it. They 
regard it, crestfallen.) 

Jordan. (Gallantly) Until, like this balloon,—I 
pop! Melita, will you marry me? 

Melita. (Nods) If I can really console you for 
the loss of the dinosaur—! 





30 


DORTS AND TFTR DINOSAUR 


Jordan. You are more desirable- than a dozen 
dinosaurs ! (He starts to take her in his arms. Alice 
Abbott and Roy Gaines enter rear. Jordan and 
Meltta separate.) 

Roy. (To Alice) T don’t know ivhat the ele¬ 
phant trainer’s game is ! 

Melita. Larry Keith is her latest game! She 
now blames him for all her troubles! 

Alice. (To Roy) Then you arc innocent! 1 
forgive you! (Offers him her hand. Roy takes it 

joyfully.) 

Jordan. (To Roy) You were right about the 
dinosaur! 

Roy. You’ll find I’m just as right about this 
Larry Keith,—he’s an impostor! No man of that 
name is registered at the University, I phoned to 
Statesville and inquired. FTe’s sailing under false 
colors! 

Jordan. What’s his object? 

Roy. The Bank at Statesville was robbed yes¬ 
terday ; you are President of the hank here,—per¬ 
haps that explains his presence. 

Jordan. The thief? 

Melita. FTe is the thief, I’m sure of it! 

Roy. Who else can we believe? 

Alice. Doris shielded him! Doris wouldn’t 
shield a thief! (She picks up the paper that Doris 

dropped from her hand-bag and reads from it) 

“Received from Doris Jordan-” Oh! A re¬ 

ceipt for money given by Doris to Larry Keith to 
compensate him for a day’s sale of mops and 
brushes! Dated this morning! The man is a mop 
and brush agent! 

Roy. I phoned Doris — she thought I wasn’t com¬ 
ing—she got this fellow to take my place, play the 
part of escort! 

Alice. What a joke! 



DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


3 1 

Melita. If we could find the fellow’s sample- 
case and face Doris with it! 

Alice. Yes,—she deserves it! A mop and brush 
agent! Look under the settee ! Oh ! Oh! 

(Laughing, she looks under desk l. front. Melita 
looks under the settee. Roy goes up to the 
cabinet , opens the lower part and lifts out the 
leather case.) 

Roy. Eureka ! The sample case! The agent’s 
name on the end of it! (He brings it dozen and lays 
it on the table. They all surround the table, laugh¬ 
ing. Doris enters l. ; stops short as she sees them. 
Roy calls to her gayly) Can I sell you some mops 
and brushes, Doris? 

Alice. We found your receipt, Doris! Your 
escort of an agent! 

(Larry enters l.) 

Roy. I will now show you samples of the finest 
mops on the market! 

Larry. (Crosses center quickly) Don’t open 
that case! 

Roy. We know you for what you are—a brush 
agent! 

Doris. What if he is? Selling mops and brushes 
is an honest way to earn a livelihood, isn’t it? But 
a lot of men would rather graft on their families 
than earn an honest living! 

Larry. (Sharp as Roy starts to open the case) 
Leave that case alone, do you hear? 

Roy. (Laughs) Mops and brushes! (He throws 
the case open; it is seen to be full of money, green¬ 
backs tied together and a lot of loose coin') Bills! 
Change! Money! 


32 


DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 


(A stupefied pause as they all look from the money 

to Larry. ) 

Melita. The thief! 

Jordan. (To Larry) You robbed the Bank in 
Statesville ? 

Roy. Yes. 

Alice. Oh! (Shocked, they all draw away from 
him.) 

Doris. No! 

Larry. (Crosses to Doris, looks her in the eyes) 
You do believe in dinosaurs? 

Doris. (Earnest) I believe in you! 

Larry. (Happy) Then that makes everything 
all right! 

(The telephone rings. Jordan answers it.) 

Jordan. Hello. . . . What, the thief who robbed 
the Statesville Bank caught ? The money recovered ? 
Are you sure ? I mean—yes, yes, I understand! 
(He rings off.) The thief has been caught! But if 
you are not the thief-? 

Larry. I'm not even an agent! (To Doris) 
When I saw you this morning—with a mop in one 
hand and a brush in the other—I seized the first 
excuse I could think of to stay and talk with you. 
(To Jordan) I wanted to deposit this money in 
your bank ; it was before banking hours. I came 
here to see you. This is circus money! 

Doris. But,—you said you didn’t belong to the 
circus! 

Larry. I don’t! The circus belongs to me ! My 
uncle died and left it to me. I told you T didn’t 
like my line of work; as soon as I can leave it I’m 
going to finish my course at Harvard,— (At Alice) 
—where I do row on the crew! 



DORIS AND THE DINOSAUR 
(Etta enters rear, angry.) 


33 


Etta. My husband, the boss canvasman, is com¬ 
ing up here to collect some apologies! 

Larry. Etta was acting under my orders. It's 
all right, Etta, Eve explained. 

Etta. Good! 

Melita. EIow lovely to have a circus in our 
family! 

Doris. What ? You and father have come to 
terms ? 

Melita. Love has come to us, too! 

Larry. Love survives, even if the dinosaur 
doesn’t! 

Roy. Alice,—let’s mop up! (He takes her hands 
as Doris goes to Larry and Jordan turns to Me¬ 
lita. ) 

Melita. At least we have a bone of the dino¬ 
saur,—the bone I brought this morning. 

Doris. No, we haven’t! Cook thought it was a 
soup-bone sent by the butcher,—she made it into 
soup! 

Jordan. Dinosaur soup! (He throws up his 
hands amid a general laugh.) 


CURTAIN 





BILLETED. 

A comedy in 3 acts, by F. Tennison Jesse and H. Harwood, 4 
males. 5 females. One easy interior seen-. A charming comedy, 
constructed with uncommon skill, and abounds with clever lines. 
Margaret Anglin’s bt£T success. Amateurs will find this comedy easy 
to produce and popular with all audiences. Price, 60 Cents. 


NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. 

A comedy in 3 acts. By James Montgomery. 5 males, 6 females. 
Costumes, modern. Two interior scenes. Plays 2 Yi hours. 

Is it possible to tell the absolute truth—even for twenty four hours? 
Tt is—at least Bob Bennett, the hero of “Nothing Rut the Truth,” 
accomplished the feat. The bet he made with his business partners, 
and the trouble he. got into—with his partners, his friends, and his 
fiancee—this is the subject of William Collier’s tremendous comedy 
hit. “Nothing But the Truth” can be whole-heartedly recommended 
as one of the most sprightly, amusing and popular comedies that this 
country can boast. Price, 60 Cents. 


IN WALKED JIMMY. 

A comedy in 4 acts, by Minnie Z. Jaffa. 10 males, '? females (al¬ 
though any number of males and females may be used as clerks, 
etc."). Two interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Plays 2/ hours. 
The thing into which Jimmy walker! was a broken-down shoe factory, 
when the clerks had all been fired, and when the proprietor was in 
serious contemplation of suicide. 

Jimmy, nothing else but plain Jimmy, would have been a mysterious 
figurr had it not been for his matter-of-fact manner, his smile and 
his everlasting humanness. He put the shoe business on its feet, won 
the heart of the girl clerk, saved her erring brother from jail, escaped 
that place as a permanent boarding house himself, and foiled the 
villain. 

Clean, wholesome comedy with just a touch of human nature, just 
a dash of excitement and more than a little bit of true philosophy 
make “In Walked Jimmy” one rf the most delightful of plays. 
Jimmy is full of the religion of life, the religion of happiness and 
the religion of helpfulness, and he so permeates the atmosphere with 
his “religion” that everyone is happy. The spirit of optimism, good 
cheer, and hearty laughter dominates the play. There is not a dull 
moment in any of the four acts. We strongly recommend it. 

Price, 60 Cents. 


MARTHA BY-THE-DAY. 

An optimistic .comedy in three acts, by Julie M. Lippmann, author 
of the “Martha” stories. 5 males, 5 females. Three interior scenes. 
Costumes modern. Plays 2\\ hours. 

It is altogether a gentle thing, this play. It is full of quaint hu¬ 
mor, old-fashioned, homely sentiment, t'he kind that people who see 
the play will recall and chuckle over to-morrow and the next day. 

Miss Lippmann has herself adapted her very successful book for 
stage service, and in doing this has selected from her novel the most 
telling incidents, infectious comedy and homely sentiment for the 
play, and the result is thoroughly delightful. Price, 60 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 


SAMUEL FRENCH, 2S-30 We, t 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catologue Mailed Free on Request 




The Touch-Down 

A comedy in four acts, by Marion Short. 8 males, 6 females, but 
any number of characters can be introduced in the ensembles. Cos¬ 
tumes modern. One interior scene throughout the play. Time, 2J4 
hours. 

This play, written for the use of clever amateurs, is the story of 
life in Siddell, a Pennsylvania co-educational college. It deals with 
the vicissitudes and final triumph of the Siddell Football Eleven, and 
the humorous and dramatic incidents connected therewith. 

“The Touch-Down” has the true varsity atmosphere, college songs 
are sung, and the piece is lively and entertaining throughout. High 
schools will make no mistake in producing this play. We strongly 
recommend it as a high-class and well-written comedy. 

Price, 30 Cents. 

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry 

A comedy in three acts, by LeRoy Arnold. 5 males, 4 females. 
One interior scene. Costumes modern. Plays 2J4 hours. 

The story is based on the will of an eccentric aunt. It stipulates 
that her pretty niece must be affianced before she is twenty-one, and 
married to her fiance within a year, if she is to get her spinster 
relative’s million. Father has nice notions of honor and fails to tell 
daughter about the will, so that she may make her choice untram¬ 
meled by any other consideration than that of true love. The action 
all takes place in the evening the midnight of which will see her 
reach twenty-one. Time is therefore short, and it is hurry, hurry, 
hurry, if she is to become engaged and thus save her father front 
impending bankruptcy. 

The situations are intrinsically funny and the dialogue is sprightly. 
The characters are natural and unaffected and the action moves with 
a snap such as should be expected from its title. Price, 30 Cents. 

The Varsity Coach 

A three-act play of college life, by Marion Short, specially adapted 
to performance by amateurs or high school students. 5 males 6 
females, but any number of boys and girls may be introduced in the 
action of the play. Two settings necessary, a college boy’s room and 
the university campus. Time, about 2 hours. 

Like many another college boy, “Bob” Selby, an all-round popular 
college man, becomes possessed of the idea that athletic prowess is 
more to be desired than scholarship. He is surprised in the midst of 
a “spread” in his room in Regatta week by a visit from his aunt 
who is putting him through college. Aunt Serena, “a lady of the old 
school and the dearest little woman in the whole world,” has hastened 
to make this visit to her adored nephew under the mistaken impression 
that he is about to receive the Fellowes prize for scholarship. Her 
grief and chagrin when she learns that instead of the prize Robert 
has received “a pink card,” which is equivalent to suspension for poor 
scholarship, gives a touch of pathos to an otherwise jolly comedy of 
college life. How the repentant Robert more than redeems himself, 
carries off honors at the last, and in the end wins Ruth, the faithful 
little sweetheart of the “Prom” and the classroom, makes a story of 
dramatic interest and brings out very clearly certain phases of modern 
college life. There are several opportunities for the introduction of 
college songs and “stunts.” Price, 30 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 


SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free oe Request 



The Return of 


LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



0 015 873 226 9 

AJL f'JLi. JM.VM 


A comedy in four acts, by Marion Short, author of “The Varsity 
Coach,’’ “The Touch-Down,” etc. 6 males, 8 females. Costumes 
modern. One interior scene. 


This comedy is founded upon and elaborated from a farce comedy 
in two acts written by J. H. Horta, and originally produced at Tuft’s 
College. 

Hiram Poynter Jinks, a Junior in Hoosic College (Willie Collier 
type), and a young moving picture actress (Mary Pickford type), are 
the leading characters in this lively, modern farce. 

Thomas Hodge, a Senior, envious of the popularity of Jinks, wishes 
to think up a scheme to throw ridicule upon him during a visit of 
the Hoosic Glee Club to Jinks’s home town. Jinks has obligingly acted 
as a one-day substitute in a moving picture play, in which there is a 
fire scene, and this gives Hodge his cue. He sends what seems to 
be a bona fide account of Jink’s heroism at a Hoosic fire to Jink’s 
home paper. Instead of repudiating his laurels as expected, Jinks 
decides to take a flyer in fame, confirms the fake story, confesses to 
being a hero and is adored by all the girls, to the chagrin and dis¬ 
comfiture of Hodge. Of course, the truth comes out at last, but 
Jinks is not hurt thereby, and his romance with Mimi Mayflower 
comes to a successful termination. 

This is a great comedy for amateurs. It is full of funny situations 
and is sure to please. Price, 30 Cents. 


June 

A most successful comedy-drama in four acts, by Marie Doran, 
author of “The New Co-Ed,” “Tempest and Sunshine,” “Dorothy’s 
Neighbors,” etc. 4 males, 8 females. One interior scene. Costumes 
modern. Plays 2)4 hours. 

This play has a very interesting group of young people. June is 
an appealing little figure, an orphan living with her aunt. There are 
a number of delightful, life-like characters: the sorely tried likeable 
Mrs. Hopkins, the amusing, haughty Miss Banks of the glove depart¬ 
ment, the lively Tilly and Milly, who work in the store, and ambitious 
Snoozer; Mrs. Hopkins’s only son, who aspires to be President of the 
United States, but finds his real sphere is running the local trolley 
car. The play is simplicity itself in the telling of an every-day story, 
and the scenic requirements call for only one set, a room” in the 
boarding house of Mrs. Hopkins, while an opportunity is afforded to 
introduce any number of extra characters. Musical numbers may be 
introduced, if desired. Price, 30 Cents. 


Tempest and Sunshine 

A comedy drama in four acts, by Marie Doran. 5 males and 3 
females. One exterior and three interior scenes. Plays about 2 hours 

Every school girl has revelled in the sw'eet simplicity and gentle¬ 
ness of the characters interwoven in the charms that Mary J Holmes 
command' in her story of “Tempest and Sunshine.” We can strongly 
recommend this play as one of the best plays for .high school pro¬ 
duction published in recent years. Pr.ce, 30 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject tc Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28=30 VI est 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request 















